All articles from Inc.com

Here is a brief overview of the contents of the written plan. Keep in mind that after the first two items, the titles of thesubsequent sections can vary. But every business plan should cover the subjects ...

It takes time and effort to get customer references, but many companies don't use their customer lists to solicit references effectively. This is despite the fact that references can be one of your best ...

Bootstrap marketing Amilya Antonetti is making her own mark in the soap business, one customer at a time When Amilya Antonetti began to talk seriously about breaking into the $4.7-billion U.S. ...

Street Smarts There's nothing more important than having a good business reputation. And the best people to help you get one are your competitors I've long believed that a good reputation is the most ...

CEO's Notebook Living on a $50,000 credit line isn't easy when you run a $1-million service business -- especially when your customers pay slowly. But Nick Ypsilantis, CEO of Boston-based AccuFile ...

The other day on an out-of-town trip, I needed an emergency pedicure. Yes, there is such a thing as an emergency pedicure, especially if you're a woman going to a special event with a new pair of open-toed ...

Gone are the days of getting funding just because you have a bright idea. Investors are looking past the " concept company" and looking for start-ups with solid products and promising projections. ...

The Inc M.B.A. It's straight-shooter time in the search for investors. No fluff. No dodges. In January 2000, when Patricia Adams started looking for outside funding, she put together a business plan that ...

Use these questions to find a competent and successful business broker. What is your background/experience? "It takes time and experience to be able to understand the nuances of businesses," says ...

W. Stewart Blackburn didn't hire a business broker to sell the businesses he owned with his wife, Suzanne, until he found someone entirely devoted to the challenge. "I got to the point where I ...